Romney won't attend Thursday's GOP debate

In First Thoughts this morning, we predicted that Mitt Romney -- who hadn't yet declared if he would attend -- would probably not show up to Thursday's GOP presidential debate in South Carolina, especially after last night's news.

And now we can confirm he WON'T be in attendance.

Per a statement from top Romney aide Matt Rhoades:

"Gov. Romney will not be participating in this week's South Carolina debate because it's still early, the field is too unsettled and he's not yet an announced candidate. Fox News and the South Carolina Republican Party have both been notified of this decision. Gov. Romney is planning to visit South Carolina on May 21st and he looks forward to debating there closer to their primary."